South Central Ohio League: 'Solid, keeping options open'

There have been talks that the South Central Ohio League have been looking into expansion for their league in future seasons, but following a meeting Friday afternoon among the superintendents, principals and athletic directors, there have been no changes made to the league just yet.

The SCOL had a meeting with 25 total people in the room, including SCOL commissioner Jim “Chief” Winner, as Mr. Winner told The Highland County Press Monday afternoon that there is still a possibility of adding teams, and they are keeping their options open.

Currently, the SCOL consists of (Highland County) Hillsboro, McClain; (Fayette County) Miami Trace, Washington; (Clinton County) Clinton-Massie, East Clinton, Wilmington; and (Ross County) Chillicothe.

“We are still looking at the possibility of expanding the league, and Friday was a good meeting with all the superintendents, principals and athletic directors of all eight schools in attendance,” Winner said. “There was nothing definite coming out of the meeting.

[[In-content Ad]]“Right now, we don’t seem to have some definite schools for membership that fit all the criteria we are looking for. There is some interest in schools joining the league, but nothing as to say which schools are showing some interest at this time. We have interest, and we are working on it.”

In mid-December, The Highland County Press reported on the SCOL wanting to expand into two divisions, as the league originally reformed in 2003 after 10 years of being disbanded. The SCOL was originally formed in 1923. The December press release by the SCOL stated:

“The league’s goal is to have two five- or six-school divisions based on a competitive balance of athletes, not necessarily enrollment and geography.”

Commissioner Winner said on Monday there are no votes coming up for the league in the near future.

“We don’t have any votes coming up in the near future,” Winner said. “We are solid at eight schools right now. We have great rivalries, great traditions, and if we can’t find schools that for the criteria we want, we’ll stay where we are at, but we want to keep all of our options open.

“We have winter sports wrapping up, and we just completed league tournaments for swimming and wrestling. We have our bowling tournament on Monday, and we are looking toward the future.”